UC-NRLF 


UNITED   STATES   SHIPPING  BOARD 
EMERGENCY  FLEET  CORPORATION 


Official   Specifications 
For  Locust  Treenails 


PREPARED    BY  THE    FOREST   SERVICE, 

UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF 

AGRICULTURE,    FOR   THE 

EMERGENCY  FLEET 

CORPORATION 


PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

1918 


UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE 
FOREST  SERVICE 


Office  of  Industrial  Investigations 
Forest  Products  Laboratory 


SUMMARY    REPORT    ON    DRIVING    TESTS    ON 

TREENAILS      AT      THE      YARD      OF      THE 

AMERICAN   SHIPBUILDING   COMPANY, 

BRUNSWICK,   GEORGIA 


Approved 

E.  H.  CI.APP 

Assistant  Forester 

April   23,    1918. 


Signed 

R.  K.  HELPHENSTINE,  JR. 
In   Charge,    Wood   Waste  Exchange 
Office  of  Industrial  Investigations 

H.  J.  HEGEL 

In    Charge,    Section    of    Lumbering 
Forest   Products    Laboratory 

April   22,    1918. 


Agjic .  -  Forestry ,  Man 


axy 


SUMMARY  REPORT  ON  DRIVING  TESTS  ON  i 
YARD  OF 


THE  AMERICAN  SmpBuiiyDjNG  COMPANY,,,  ^  ,  , 
BRUNSWICK,  GEORGIA.,  //',  \tt  j  ;'  '*,'  '**'•  *  v*  '• 


INTRODUCTION 

In  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  United  States  Ship- 
ping Board,  as  the  result  of  a  suggestion  offered  by  the  Ameri- 
can Bureau  of  Shipping,  representatives  of  the  Forest  Service 
visited  the  yard  of  the  American  Shipbuilding  Company,  Bruns- 
wick, Georgia,  and  conducted  driving  tests  on  locust  treenails. 
These  tests  were  witnessed  by  a  surveyor  of  the  American 
Bureau  of  Shipping  and  by  the  resident  inspector  of  the  United 
States  Shipping  Board,  Emergency  Fleet  Corporation  for 
Brunswick. 

OBJECTS  OF  THE  TESTS 

In  view  of  the  rigid  requirements  of  the  hull  specifications 
for  treenails  a  series  of  driving  and  wedging  tests  were  con- 
ducted with  the  object  of  determining  the  proper  specifications 
for  treenails. 

BASIS  OF  REPORT 

The  proposed  specifications  are  based  upon  the  results  of  a 
series  of  150  driving  and  50  wedging  tests  conducted  in  a  man- 
ner as  described  in  detail  in  the  complete  report  attached  and 
verified  by  a  check  test  on  50  treenails  containing  a  maximum 
of  defects  allowed  in  the  proposed  specifications. 

In  addition,  driving  tests  were  conducted  on  mulberry  tree- 
nails to  determine  the  effect  of  driving  and  at  the  same  time 
support  previous  recommendations  covering  the  use  of  this 
species  for  treenails. 

RESULTS 

In  view  of  the  results  of  these  tests,  as  outlined  in  detail 
in  the  attached  report,  the  following  specifications  for  tree- 
nails are  proposed : 

3 


450954 


\  SPECIFICATIONS  FOR  TREENAILS 


SQUARES 

Material 

To  be  black  or  yellow  locust  (Robinia  pseudacacia), 
live  oak  (Quercus  virgmiana),  or  Osage  orange  (Toxylon 
pomiferum).  All  squares  to  be  entirely  free  of  spike  knots, 
knots  in  clusters,  and  to  be  sound,*  except  for  the  following 
defects  which  will  be  allowed: 

1.  Sound  knots,  the  aggregate  diameter  of  which  does 
not  exceed  %  inch  in  each  and  every  12  inches  of  length, 
provided  no  knot  is  larger  than  *4  inch  in  average  diameter 
and  no  ^4  inch  knot  is  closer  than  2  inches  to  any  other 
knot. 

2.  Cross  or  spiral  grain  not  exceeding  in  slope  more 
than  1  inch  in  a  length  of  20  inches. 

3.  Season  checks,  splits  and  shakes  extending  into  the 
treenail  for  a  distance  not  exceeding  1  inch  on  each  end. 

4.  Sap  on  one  end  not  exceeding  ^4  inch  in  thickness 
on  any  face  or  %  inch  on  any  corner  for  a  distance  of  not 
more  than  %  the  length  of  the  piece. 

(  Sap,  in  addition  to  that  allowed  in  item  4,  wane  surface 
worm  holes,  or  similar  defects  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
inspector,  can  be  removed  in  turning  the  treenail  will  also 
be  allowed.  Iron  streaks  will  not  be  considered  defects.) 

Size 

Squares  to  be  cut  to  sizes  specified,  allowing  1/16  inch 
variation  in  thickness  and  width  and  %  inch  in  length. 

Finish 

All  squares  to  be  rough  sawn. 

*  Sound  material  excludes  squares  containing  worm  holes  which  cannot 
lie  removed  in  turning,  any  form  of  rot  or  decay,  powder  post,  and  incased 
bark. 

4 


SPECIFICATIONS  FOR 


TURNED  TREENAILS 

Material 

To  be  thoroughly  seasoned  (approximately  15  per  cent 
moisture)  black  or  yellow  locust  (Robinia  pseudacacia) , 
live  oak  (Quercus  virginiana),  or  Osage  orange  (Toxylon 
pomiferum).  All  treenails  to  be  entirely  free  of  spike  knots, 
knots  in  clusters  and  to  be  sound.*  All  treenails  to  be  en- 
tirely of  heartwood,  except  as  allowed  below.  The  follow- 
ing defects  will  be  allowed: 

1.  Sound  knots,  the  aggregate  diameter  of  which  does 
not  exceed  %  inch  in  each  and  every  12  inches  of  length, 
provided  no  knot  is  larger  than  ^4  incn  m  average  diameter 
and  no  1/4  inch  knot  is  closer  than  2  inches  to  any  other 
knot. 

2.  Cross  or  spiral  grain  with  a  slope  not  exceeding  1 
inch  in  a  length  of  20  inches. 

3.  Season  checks,  splits  and  shakes  extending  into  the 
treenail  for  a  distance  not  exceeding  1  inch  on  each  end. 

4.  Sap  not  exceeding  l/g  inch  in  thickness  nor  more  than 
%  the  length  of  the  treenail  on  the  pointed  end  only. 

(Iron  streaks  will  not  be  considered  a  defect.  Dips  in 
the  grain,  which  at  the  maximum  slope  do  not  exceed  the 
allowable  cross  grain  will  be  permitted.) 


*Sound  material  excludes  treenail  containing  worm  holes,  any  form  of 
rot  or  decay,  powder  post,  and  incased  bark. 

NOTE:  Where  the  shipyard  has  the  facilities  for  returning  the  tree- 
nails it  is  advantageous  to  the  shipbuilder  to  specify  that  they  be  fur- 
nished rough  turned  ^  inch  larger  than  the  nominal  diameter.  The 
shipbuilder  then  turns  these  treenails  to  the  proper  size. 

NOTE:  Tapered  treenails  are  recommended  by  the  Classification  So- 
ciety, but,  in  view  of  the  difficulty  in  obtaining  them,  they  will  accept 
2-drift  treenails  as  here  illustrated.  Unless  a  tapered  form  is  used,  all 
treenails  should  be  turned  in  2  drifts,  except  in  cases  where  the  local 
representatives  of  the  Classification  Society  will  approve  treenails  having 
a  uniform  diameter  throughout.  Each  drift  of  a  2-drift  treenail  should 
occupy  y2  the  length  of  the  treenail  with  an  allowable  variation  of  y±  inch 
either  way.  The  difference  in  diameter  between  the  2  drifts  shall  be  ^ 
inch. 

NOTE:  The  use  of  tapered  or  drift  turned  treenails  does  not  apply  to 
framing  timbers.  Treenails  for  this  purpose  may  be  turned  straight. 

5 


•    •.  to  be',  turned  to  sizes  specified,  allowing  %  inch 

'  varidtiotf  in*  len 


Shape 

Treenails  to  be  tapered  or  drift  turned.  When  drift 
turned,  each  drift  to  occupy  %  the  length  of  the  treenail 
with  1/16  inch  difference  in  diameter  between  drifts.  When 
tapered  the  difference  in  diameter  between  the  small  and 
large  end  to  be  1/16  inch. 

Finish 

Treenails  to  be  smoothly  turned  and  to  have  points 
tapered  for  a  length  of  about  3/16  inch  to  about  a  30° 
bevel  at  the  pointed  end.  No  treenails  with  flat  faces  will 
be  accepted. 


GENERAL  INSTRUCTIONS  COVERING  TREENAILS  PURCHASED 
UNDER  THE  ATTACHED  SPECIFICATIONS 


1.  PURPOSE  OF  THE  SPECIFICATIONS 

The  purpose  of  the  attached  specifications  is  to  secure  tree- 
nails from  commercial  material  upon  the  basis  of  serviceability. 
Certain  defects  which  do  not  affect  the  strength  of  the  treenail 
are  allowed.  In  view  of  the  peculiar  growth  characteristics  of 
the  raw  material  used  the  specifications  have  been  so  drawn  as 
to  obtain  stock  compatible  with  the  use  intended  and  at  the  same 
time  enable  manufacturers  of  treenails  to  use  as  much  of  the 
log  as  possible. 

2.  SPECIES 

Black  and  yellow  locust  (Robinia  pseudacacia),  live  oak 
(Quercus  virginiana)  and  Osage  orange  (Toxylon  pomiferum) 
are  the  species  of  wood  allowed.  It  is  probable  that  clearer 
stock  can  be  secured  from  live  oak  than  from  either  one  of  the 
other  two  woods  mentioned,  for  the  reason  that  trees  of  this 
species  are  more  uniformly  clear  than  those  of  the  locust  or 
Osage  orange.  Honey  locust  (Gleditsia  triacanthos)  is  a  com- 
paratively porous  wood  possessing  considerably  less  strength 
than  black  (yellow)  locust.  Treenails  made  from  this  species 
of  locust  are  not  allowed  under  the  specifications. 

3.  SAPWOOD 

The  sapwood  of  any  species  of  wood  is  less  durable  than  the 
heartwood,  and  treenails  containing  sapwood  when  driven  into 
the  hull  of  a  ship  are  liable  to  decay  and  become  loose.  Espe- 
cially is  this  true  of  treenails  used  in  that  portion  of  the  hull 
either  below  or  at  the  water  line.  Accordingly  sapwood  in  a 
treenail  is  a  defect  to  be  guarded  against.  The  attached  specifi- 
cations allow  sapwood  only  in  that  part  of  the  treenail  which  is 
not  likely  to  be  subjected  to  conditions  fostering  decay.  This 
sap  allowance  is  in  addition  to  that  permitted  in  any  portion  of 
the  length  of  a  square  which  will  be  removed  in  turning  the  tree- 
nail. (See  Plate  A.) 


4.  DEFECTS 

Knots 

Knots  weaken  the  wood  and  often  interfere  with  proper 
wedging.  As  allowed  in  the  specifications  they  are  limited 
in  size  and  location  and  classified  as  to  character.  Knots  to 
be  admitted  must  be  sound.  (See  Plate  B.) 

Bird  Pecks 

Bird  pecks  are  caused  by  birds  pecking  holes  through 
the  bark  of  the  tree  into  the  wood.  Usually  this  mars  the 
wood  but  little,  often  only  slightly  discoloring  it.  Defects 
of  this  character  are  therefore  admitted  to  the  extent  out- 
lined in  the  specifications. 

Season  Checks 

Season  checks  are  separations  in  the  wood  at  right 
angles  to  the  annual  rings  of  growth.  They  usually  show 
in  the  ends  of  the  treenails,  but  are  also  often  found  in  the 
body  of  the  stick.  The  specifications  make  allowance  for 
these  defects  to  a  limited  extent  only  in  the  ends  of  tree- 
nails. 

Splits 

Splits  generally  appear  at  the  end  of  a  stick  as  a  separa- 
tion of  the  wood  between  the  annual  rings  of  growth.  Splits, 
like  checks,  weaken  the  wood,  and  are  allowed  only  as  in- 
cluded in  the  specifications. 

Worm  Holes 

These  are  small  open  holes  often  as  large  as  *4  inch  in 
diameter,  easily  seen  and  caused  by  worms  boring  in  the 
wood.  Where  these  holes  penetrate  the  wood  at  right 
angles  to  the  grain  the  extent  of  the  injury  is  not  visible 
and  such  defects  should  be  guarded  against.  No  worm  holes 
of  any  kind  are  allowed  under  the  specifications  in  turned 
treenails.  In  inspecting  squares,  however,  one  will  often  be 
found  that  contains  a  worm  hole  running  parallel  with  the 
length  of  the  square.  Such  worm  holes  if  not  too  deep,  are 
usually  removed  in  turning  the  treenail  and  are  allowed 
under  the  specifications.  (See  Plate  C.) 

8 


Cross  Grain 

In  cross  grained  treenails  the  grain  of  the  wood  does 
not  run  parallel  with  the  center  line  of  the  piece.  Treenails 
of  this  kind  are  liable  to  break  along  the  line  of  the  cross 
grain,  and  should  be  carefully  guarded  against.  The  speci- 
fications allow  cross  grain  but  only  within  certain  limita- 
tions. (See  Plate  D.) 

Dry  Rot 

This  defect,  often  referred  to  as  "dote,"  in  treenail  stock 
is  very  serious.  Some  treenails  are  affected  for  their  entire 
length  with  dry  rot.  In  such  material  the  defect  is  readily 
recognized,  since  the  stick  is  of  very  light  weight  and  a 
sharp  blow  will  cause  it  to  break  off  at  the  point  struck. 
(See  Plate  E.) 

Wind  Shake 

This  is  a  fracture  of  the  wood  and  appears  as  a  split 
or  separation  of  the  wood  between  the  annual  rings  of 
growth.  Such  a  defect  may  be  found  in  any  part  of  the 
treenail  and  is  caused  by  severe  bending  strain  in  the  living 
tree  during  a  windstorm.  These  defects  are  serious  and  are 
not  allowed  in  the  specifications.  (See  Plate  F.) 

5.  SIZE 

Inspectors  will  determine  by  measurements  on  random  selec- 
tions that  treenail  squares  or  turned  treenails  are  true  to  form 
and  within  the  range  of  dimensions  specified.  As  indicated  in 
the  specifications  a  variation  of  1/16  inch  is  allowed  in  thick- 
ness and  width  and  %  inch  in  length  in  treenail  squares,  while 
in  the  turned  treenails  a  variation  of  %  inch  in  length  only  is 
permissible. 

6.  GENERAL 

It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  formulate  a  set  of  specifications 
for  the  inspection  of  treenails  which  will  cover  every  phase  of 
the  subject.  While  the  size  and  location  of  knots  and  limita- 
tions covering  other  defects  are  clearly  described  in  the  specifi- 
cations, the  effect  of  these  defects  on  serviceability  should  be 

9 


borne  in  mind  and  the  lines  not  drawn  too  sharply  when  it  is 
very  clear  that  the  treenail  will  give  service  equal  in  all  respects 
to  one  free  from  such  defects.  (See  Plates  G,  H,  I  and  J.) 

SUGGESTIONS  FOR  INSPECTORS 

1.  Read    carefully    "General    Instructions"    and    examine 
closely  each  of  the  appended  illustrations. 

2.  Measure  the  first  square  or  turned  treenail  and  others 
at  random  during  the  inspection  for  proper  dimensions. 

3.  Inspect  each  square  or  turned  treenail  for  extent  and 
location  of  defects  if  any. 

4.  Arrange  space  for  two  piles;  the  accepted  treenails  and 
the  rejects. 

5.  Tally   each  piece   on   tabular   form   similar   to   the   fol- 
lowing : 


TREENAIL  SQUARES 

TURNED  TREENAILS 

Dimensions 

Acceptable 

Rejected 

Dimensions 

Acceptable 

Rejected 

I#"x32 

1111 
1111 
1111 
1111 
111 

1111 

Wx32 

1111 
1111 
1111 
1111 
11 

1111 
11 

10 


APPENDIX 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "A" 

No.  6.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Sap  on  one  end  not  more 
than  ^4"  in  width  or  one-quarter  the  length  of  the 
piece. 

No.  10.  Accepted  turned  treenail.  Sap  on  one  end  not  more 
than  %"  in  width  or  one-quarter  the  length  of  the 
treenail.  (This  treenail  is  less  than  30"  long  and 
therefore  not  drift  turned.) 

No.  12.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Sap  in  body  of  the  stick 
which  will  be  removed  in  turning  the  treenail. 

No.  17.  Rejected  treenail  square.  Sap  in  body  of  the  stick 
which  cannot  be  removed  in  turning  the  treenail. 

No.  21.  Rejected  turned  treenail.  Sap  in  the  body  of  the  piece. 
(Longer  than  30"  and  for  this  reason  drift  turned.) 


J2 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "B" 

No.  7.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Sound  knots  not  exceeding 
14"  in  diameter  nor  closer  together  than  4  inches. 
(This  is  the  flat  grained  face  of  the  stick  which 
makes  it  look  cross  grained  at  one  end.) 

No.  8.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Sound  knots  no  larger  than 
14"  in  diameter  nor  closer  together  than  2  inches. 

No.  9.  Rejected  treenail  square.  Knot  in  excess  of  14"  in 
average  diameter. 

No.  18.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Sound  knot  with  average 
diameter  not  in  excess  of  14". 

No.  19.  Rejected  turned  treenail.  Knot  no  more  than  }4"  in 
average  diameter  but  unsound. 

No.  20.  Accepted  turned  treenail.  Sound  knot  no  more  than 
14 "  in  average  diameter. 


H 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "C" 

No.  1.  Accepted  treenail  square.  Surface  worm  hole  which 
will  be  removed  in  turning  the  treenail. 

No.  14.  Rejected  treenail  square.  Worm  hole  which  penetrates 
the  wood  to  a  depth  not  permitting  of  its  being 
removed  in  turning  the  treenail. 

No.  16.  Rejected  treenail  square.  Numerous  small  pin  worm 
holes  which  penetrate  to  the  interior  of  the  square, 
the  extent  of  the  injury  not  being  visible. 

No.  22.  Rejected  turned  treenail.     Worm  hole. 


16 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "D" 

No.    3,  Rejected  treenail  square.     Cross  grain  with  slope  less 
than  1  inch  in  20  inches. 

No.  12.  Accepted  treenail  square.     Cross  grain  with  a  slope  of 
more  than  1  inch  in  20  inches. 

No.  23.  Accepted  turned  treenail.     Cross  grain  with  a  slope 
greater  than  1  inch  in  20  inches. 

No.  24.  Rejected  turned  treenail.     Excessive  cross  grain. 


18 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "E" 

No.  5.  Rejected  treenail  square.  This  piece  is  affected  for 
three-fourths  of  its  length  with  dry  rot  or  "dote." 

No.  2.  Rejected  treenail  square.  Partial  dry  rot  appearing 
in  the  form  of  spots  throughout  the  square.  Also 
numerous  surface  checks. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "F" 

No.  11.  Rejected  treenail  square.     Wind  shake. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "G" 

The  samples  shown  in  this  photograph,  Nos.  1,  7,  12,  15  and 
18,  are  all  acceptable  squares  under  the  specifications. 


24 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "H" 

The  samples  shown  in  this  photograph,  Nos.  4,  11,  13,  14, 
16  and  17,  are  all  rejected  squares  under  the  specifications. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "I" 

The  samples  shown  in  this  photograph,  Nos.  20,  25,  26  and 
27,  are  all  acceptable  turned  treenails  under  the  specifications. 


28 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATE  "J" 

The  samples  shown  in  this  photograph,  Nos.  21,  22,  28,  29 
and  30,  are  all  rejected  turned  treenails  under  the  specifications. 


30 


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